What if Tywin Stopped Ned Stark's Execution

The night [music] is dark and full of theories. [music] What if Tywin stopped Ned Stark's execution? Let's explore the depths of it in the video. Tywin rides through the streets of King's Landing, Kevin at his side. After the defeat at the Whispering Wood, he needed to ensure that Ned Stark could be exchanged for Jaime. Sounds of a crowd assembling at the Great Sept draw his attention. What is going on with the Sept? >> Before my hand is being taken there to confess his treason, the king may execute him. >> Get out of my way now. Sir Ory, clear a path to the ST by force if you have to. yelling at to make way for Lord Tywin. His men rush forward and start shoving the peasants aside. As he rides into the large square, Joffrey commands Sir Illan to bring him Ned Stark's head. For a moment, Tywin is transfixed by the sheer stupidity of what he's seeing. Then spurs his horse forward and roars as loud as he can at the boy. >> Stop this madness immediately. What do you think you're doing, >> Grandfather? He's a traitor, and traitors should be executed. >> No, he will not be executed, you imbecile. I intend to trade him and his daughters for your uncle and get that leg treated now. It looks infected. >> I am the king. You can't talk to me like that. >> You are still my grandson. And you are a fool if you think that this is a good move. Get him and his daughter back to the Red Keep. He's confessed his treason. Now we exchange him for your uncle so I can deal with Stannis and Renley. Clear this square and get Lord Stark back to the Red Keep. Once he is certain that his orders will be followed, Tywin rides back to the Red Keep. Sansa and Ned and Toe. Immediately after returning, he has Pycel examine Ned's leg, only to have the Grand Maester diagnosed the leg could not be saved. Closing his fist, Tywin looks down at Ned. Lord Stark, it appears as though it will be your life or your leg. Why did you save me? Because you were useful to me. I don't have time to deal with your son, who is quite talented at war. I'd actually like to work with such a boy. I will not have my son fight for the cause of a false king born of adultery and incest. In that case, I will keep your daughter here to ensure your good behavior. If you step out of line, she will die. And you can't. I can and I will, Lord Stark. You've lost all credibility. You have no bargaining power aside from my son, which is easily solved if I exchange you for Jaime. However, you for my son and other Lannister prisoners is a reasonable exchange. I can simply keep your daughter here as insurance for your good behavior. Do we understand each other? Ned lowers his head and nods. Tywin gestures to Pycel, who gives Nut Ned milk of the poppy before tying him to the bed. Now that Ned has been cowed, Tywin pens a letter to Riverrun, informing Robert that he is willing to exchange prisoners. He also puts preparations in place to try to get rid of Stannis Baratheon. Stannis had the royal fleet, but few men, while Renley had a large army, but was far away from the capital. Tywin lays out a map, then sets a set of figurines to mark the troops. Without the North, he'd have to face the Baratheonss by himself. Perhaps there was another ally he could reach out to. He was left with few options. Dorne would never ally with him. Not unless he handed over the mountain and Sir Emory. And while Sir Armory was not terribly useful, Sir Greor was a useful tool. That left Lysa Aaron, the woman who had held his son prisoner. Slowly, Tywin breeds out and writes out another letter proposing a marriage between Marcella and Robin Aaron. Once he's sure he has the preparation set, he summons Cersei and Joffrey. The king looks petulant and his daughter seems relieved. Tywin lets out a long irritated breath and steeples his fingers. Why did you think that executing our prize hostage was a good idea? >> He was a traitor and showing him mercy would have made me look weak. I don't know what stupidity your mother and your oish father have put in your head, but it stops now. Your mother is going back to Castelli Rock where she belongs. I'm the new regent, and you will not do anything unless you have counseledled with me. Do you understand, Joffrey? Cersei, you will say nothing. I've already made the arrangements. You're not the queen regent anymore. >> Cersei sputters, but Tywin is not about to deal with any of her stupidity. Clearly, the boy's temperament was her fault. Robert might have been a lout, but the boy seemed like a spoiled brat. Once he had Cersei sent away, he has Joffrey sit down. >> Do you want to know how to be a good king? >> A good king acts boldly. >> A good king acts wisely, Joffrey. [sighs] Let me explain why what you were planning on doing was stupid. He lays out the reasoning. Joffrey grows more and more sulky, as if he weren't taking in whatever Tywin was saying. Dissatisfied by his grandson's clear lack of competence, Tywin has the boy taken to his rooms. This was going to be difficult. Once Ned has recovered from having his leg amputated, he and Sansa are escorted toward the Riverlands, where Rob is waiting with a large force of Northmen. Arya is already standing next to her. Since Yoran had gotten her out of the city safely, Rob's eyes narrow as soon as he sees that his father no longer has a leg, but he still lets the exchange go ahead. Once Knight is securely behind northern lines, Rob gives the command to march back to Riverrun to make sure that Tywin does not try coming against them again. Once Jaime and the other prisoners are returned to the Lannisters, Tywin summons his son. When Jaime enters, his father's expression grims. This will never happen again, Jaime. You were caught unaware by a green boy and captured. The only reason you're alive is because I was able to get back to King's Landing in time to prevent Joffrey from doing something stupid. You're right. I don't want to make the same mistakes again. >> Good. Now, we must decide how to get rid of Stannis and Renley. Stannis has the smallest army, and likely it will be easy to get rid of him. There is something we can use. Go on. There are caches of wildfire throughout King's Landing from the time of the Mad King. If you were to repurpose the substance, you could burn Stannis's fleet in Renley's army. How much wildfire did the mad man make? Enough to destroy all of King's Landing. >> Well, that is something I can make use of. Well done, Jamie. Where are they? Once all the wildfire is collected, Tywin's eyes bulge at the sheer volume of the explosive stuff. Carefully, he has the wildfire taken toward the gap near Bitterbridgeidge and Tumbleton along with several troops. While the wildfire wagons are taken toward Renley's army, he assembles the war galleys and sails toward Dragonstone. The attack happens in the middle of the night. A hail of green liquid is flung into Stannis's fleet from a distance using catapults positioned on the Lannister fleet's decks. Once the fleet has been dowsed in wildfire, a rain of fire arrows streak the strike the fleet. Green flames blast outward, destroying the fleet in seconds. Tywin watches the green flames devour the royal fleet, then nods towards his men. Yells rise to turn the catapults on the fortress. Stannis attempts to hold out, but the fires start rapidly spreading through the castle. Stannis and several others managed to break out of the castle only to see thousands of Lannister men disembarking onto the shores. Sir Davos, get my daughter out of here before the Lannisters get here. You grease. No, I can't. >> You can and you will. Now leave. Make sure he survives and sits the Iron Throne. Drawing his sword, Stannis rushes toward the Lannisters, swallowing. Davos picks up Shireen and starts running towards the other side of the island where the small boat waits. Sounds of men dying chase after Davos as he escapes. Right as the several Lannister men rush towards them, putting all of the his strength to use, Davos rose away from Dragonstone as Stannis and everyone else on Dragonstone are systematically slaughtered. When Tywin sees Stannis, Celis, and Melisandre's bodies in front of him, he nods in satisfaction, then frowns. Where was Stannis's daughter? Our men report that she was seen escaping in a row accompanied by the Onion Knight. Go after them. I want that girl brought to me. Despite the Lannisters scouring the bay, Davos and Shireen managed to reach a ship bearing Celidor Sands colors and flee toward the Free Cities. Not wanting to waste time, Tywin takes the remaining ships from his fleet in the Royal Fleet sets back towards King's [music] Landing. Once he arrives, news of Renley's advance reaches him along with reports of his wildfire preparations. Now that he's dealt with Stannis, Tywin [music] rides out to meet Renley. When Renley arrives at the large open area in between the tip of the Mander and the Blackwater Rush, he sees the Lannisters have arrayed themselves quite far back from the rivers, even though doing so would have protected their flanks. Something is wrong here. Why would Tywin not put his men in the best position? This is obviously a trap. Maybe he stood pits for our cavalry. We should get around him. Bitterbridgeidge is open to us, so we [music] should send a force around the enemy through the King'swood to hit them from the side. Lord Tarly, you have command of this force. I'll keep Lord Tywin occupied with a loud racket. When Tywin sees the reach and Stormlanders drawing up for battle, he has his archers ready with fire arrows to ignite the wildfire. However, rather than advancing through the gap, they simply set their camp, then begin making bridges to try to cross the river at the Blackwater Rush. Rather than risk the enemy [music] attempting to make a run for the capital, Tywin has Jaime lead a holding force across the river to prevent a crossing. As soon as Jaime and his men cross the river, Randall Tarly attacks from the Kingswood, smashing the Lannisters against the Blackwater Rush. Jaime attempts to cross the Black, but the Reachmen under Renley start firing arrows into them as Garland and 30,000 men smash into Jaime. More and more of the Reachmen and Stormlanders cross the river and start cutting through Jaime<unk>s forces, trapping them against the river. Sensing victory, Renley and the rest of the army rushes across the bridges to the south, bypassing the gap between the Mander and the Blackwater Rush and charging toward Tywin. In a desperate bid to try and ek out some small advantage, Tywin has his archers lose their arrows into the gap. The flaming arrows f fall fall in the wildfire concealed within carefully constructed trenches in front of the enemy lines, causing the substance to ignite instantly. Green flames blast outward, consuming thousands of men on both sides. Tywin had underestimated the power of the wildfire, and now he was paying the price. Jaime watches from the other side of the river as thousands of Reachmen are killed. Only Randall Tarly's forces hitting his father from the rear manage to survive while the front ranks of the Westerman are incinerated. All he can do is attempt to break out, but his men are too few. In the final push, Jaime comes face to face with Garlin and Loris. Raising his sword, Jaime rushes to meet the Tyrell brothers. But the two of them together overwhelm the King's Slayer. As the fire starts to spread, the Westermen facing the Tarly forces start running towards the Kingswood. While the Reachmen within the camp retreat towards the mountains, Tumbleton rapidly fills with screams as people rush out of the town ahead of the wildfire conflration. For the first time in his life, Randall Tarly feels stark raving terror. Despite his fear, Tarly does what he can to keep discipline and drive the Lannisters into the wildfire. but he has to retreat away from the inferno. Finally, the wildfire dies down, leaving a mass of burned bodies. Renley and Tywin are both dead. Jaime is also dead, killed by Garlin and Loris. When the dead are counted, Randall Tarly wipes his brow and starts cleaning Hart's bane to try to keep his mind off the horror around him. As he cleans the sword, both Tyrell boys ride up to him, their faces smudged with ash and soot. How many are dead, Lord Tarly? All of the western men are dead. Sagalin Tarwin burned along with his mad dog. My 20,000 are mostly intact. See, for about 2,000 Renley is dead along with most of the Reachmen in Stormlandis. Maybe 20,000 of theirs survived. That's madness. So many. Lord Tywin was just as much fox as lion, it appears. But it seems he miscalculated the strength of the wildfire since it consumed just as many of his own men as ours. Well, what now? I'm not pledging my sword to Joffrey. Neither would I. His army is gone. He has no leverage. We can simply starve out King's Landing. But do [music] we even care to? We don't have a king. There are no claimments to the throne anymore if Stannis is gone. A great council. Then choose a new king. >> [clears throat] >> Maybe. What is certain is that House Baratheon is gone. Storm's End will likely go to Edric Storm to carry on the line. So perhaps we should support him over the boy Joffrey. I could stand behind that. He's rather young, but I would stand behind the boy. Randall sheath Harp Spain and turns his eyes toward the capital. Garlin and Loris take his meaning [music] and ride toward their troops. Before Edric can be crowned, they need to take King's Landing. Once they cross the river, the remaining 40,000 troops left of their army surround King's Landing and demand they surrender. Knowing there is nothing they can do against the army. And with the wildfire used up, the city watch surrenders. Joffrey and other members of the court to the Tyrells. Joffrey and his mother are executed while the two other children and Tyrion are left alive. Littlefinger and Varys escape in the chaos, though Littlefinger's books are seized, revealing just how much debt the crown is in. Once the capital is secured and no other kings are left standing, Garlin and Loris declare Edric Storm as Edric Baratheon and crown him as king. Now that their claimment is on the throne and hostilities are over, Edric is wed to Marjgery to continue the Tyrell Baratheon alliance. And a letter is sent to Riverrun recounting the situation to Ned Stark and offering him concessions for his treatment at the hands of the Lannisters and his son's help in bloody Tywin in the Riverlands. When Ned hears about what has happened, he leans back in his chair and grunts [music] sourly. Cat sits next to him, carefully avoiding looking at the stump of his leg, tapping his fingers against the arm of his chair. Ned considers what he should do. [music] Tywin is dead. Renley and Stannis were dead. There was a bastard on [music] the throne, but he was Robert's blood. He could accept a lad like that as king. As his father wants to return to Winterfell, Rob takes a large troop of men south to pledge themselves to King Edric. The young king seems rather overwhelmed with the whole proceeding, but he's friendly to Rob and accepts his filty graciously. Once the whole ceremony is finished, Edric asks Rob to walk with him in the godswood. I'm honestly very impressed with what you managed to do against Lord Tywin. Rob, do you think you could stay and act as master of laws? Mace Tyrell is going to act as my hand, but I'd like someone who can fight for me alongside Randall Tally as Master of War if the time comes. I do have a few things to take care of, namely a marriage pact with Walder Frey, King Edric. But but after I go to make good on my deal, I would be happy to come and serve as your master of laws. There is a man in White Harbor named Wayman Manderly who would do as well as master of coin. He's one of the smartest men I know. Good. Thank you. I'll put in the appointment for Lord Weman as well. Bring your frag girl down here. We can have the two of you get married in the great sept. I follow the old yachts. your grace. So, I'm sorry, but I'd rather wed my bride in the godswood. Fair enough. I'm just trying to be friendly. It's what my father would have done. I want us to have the same success as our fathers did. I think that the two of us together can bring about a lasting change. Thank you for your confidence, she grace. I'll return as soon as I'm wed to Lord Frey's daughter. May I have use of a ship so that I can arrive at the twins quickly? Edric agrees and Rob sets out. After his marriage to Roslin, Rob takes a ship to White Harbor to introduce her to his brothers [music] and sisters and his parents. The only thing that could make it better was if Jon was there. Once he's declared his intentions to go south. His mother is ecstatic that the new king is honoring her son, while Ned is more somber. Just be careful, son. It may be better with the Taros rather than the Lannisters. But you must remember, nobody in the South can be trusted. I know, father. I'll be careful. It'll be different. You'll see. I'm to be another Craig and Stark. Repair the realm and then come back home. You've got higher expectations of yourself. I have confidence that you'll live up to it. I'm proud of you, son. You'll do well in the south. While Rob sails south to King's Landing, Davos and Shireen land in Pentos. S's men escort them to the dock. Davos holds Shireen close with one arm, his hand on his sword. As soon as Santa escorts him to a large mans where Varys and Littlefinger are waiting. Lord Varys, I thought you were a Lannister man. Same with you, Lord Beish. I'm a servant of the realm, much like you, Onion Knight. Littlefinger just wants to serve whomever the best option to advance himself is. And why did you have San bring me and Shireen here? It's rather simple. She has the only legitimate claim to the Iron Throne. Now that Renley and Stannis are dead, there is a lad who would benefit from her claim and your aid in taking back the seven kingdoms. Shireen is the rightful queen of the seven kingdoms. King Stannis entrusted me with ensuring she receives what she's due. And she will get exactly that, sir. But she needs an army. And our clament has one. Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar and Elliot. I was under the impression that he had his brains bashed out with a mountain. How did he manage to recover from that? I've got some fingers I'd like ran. [laughter] Very troll, said Davos. You're cleverer than I anticipated. Aegon was rescued from the Red Keep shortly before the sack and was switched with a peasant boy. Mister Ryio has contacted the Golden Company in his service. And with Shireen's claim, he can now enter the Seven Kingdoms unopposed since all sides have been rather depleted. I want to make something clear. Shireen will be queen. The Iron Throne is hers, and I won't rest till she has it. So very noble, on your knight. Just because someone like you doesn't understand honor doesn't mean it has no value. I understand it quite well. I just assure it's like the plague. Honorable men make bad business partners. So, Sir Davos, do we have an accord? Davos glances at Shireen, who just nods in agreement. Not knowing what else to do. Davos extends his hand toward Varys, who shakes it lightly. After a short trip to the river, they meet up with Aegon and John Connington and board the shy maid. When the prince sees Shireen, he's less than pleased that she's going to be his queen, but he does try to be somewhat kind to the girl. Shireen knows that he's just being kind, but she appreciates the effort. Most others wouldn't even try. So, where is this golden company I've heard so much about? I thought they were for the black dragons, not the red. A dragon is a dragon, and the black dragons are all dead. We are going to sail for a few days to meet up with them. So, you're a smuggler by trade, correct? >> I I am. I assume you'd like me to get you into some castle or another. Not exactly. We're looking to get south to meet with Daenerys Targaryen to try and get her on our side. All right. I suppose I'd be happy to come along. Don't mind me. I'm just a simple onion smuggler with too many questions. Don't worry. So long as you do your job, we won't have a problem. As they travel, Davos watches all of the other crew members, especially John Conington and Septto Lamore. John Conington since he's the leader and Septto Lamore is clearly the most enigmatic of them all. While they travel, Davos takes care of Shireen and interacts with Aegon, trying to get them to be friends with some measure of success, but not much. The princess likes the prince, but he sees her as a little sister. As they travel, Shireen keeps waking up in the middle of the night, screaming about her nightmares. Every time she wakes up, Davos is there to comfort her and help her back to sleep. While Davos travels across Essos, Edric Baratheon attempts to repair the damage [music] done during the Wildfire War, as it's being called. The memory of what happened at the Battle of the Burning River is forever etched into both the minds of the combatants and the landscape. Despite all attempts to get the land to be usable, Tumbled remains in ruins, and the land around it is scorched as if by dragonfire. Rob and Roslin are excellent helps. Rob for his ability to inspire people and Roslin for her grace and gentle nature. Though the wildlings attempt to assault the wall, great John Umber leads the northern forces in a counterattack that drives them off. Soon enough, Rob and Roslin have a child named Eddard, while Edric has a daughter named Kasana after his grandmother. When they arrive at Slavers Bay after picking up the Golden Company, they encounter Daenerys in her ships. She's surprised to have this many allies coming to her, but she's still intent on gaining the Unsullied from Mastapor. She is equally surprised [music] at the re revelation of Aegon and Shireen, but she accepts them into her court since while Shireen is a Baratheon, she's only a child. Besides, [music] Stannis had never been in the stories of the usurper's dogs, so she had no prejudice towards him beyond being Robert's brother. When Sir Davos sees Barrist and Selme with Daenerys along with the dragons, he starts to see how they might have a chance. He's not fond of the idea of slave soldiers, especially since they already have the Golden Company, but any advantage, he supposes. When she proposes to take one of her dragons, Davos tilts his head in confusion, but doesn't say anything while the others express confusion and opposition. Everyone, calm down. Her Grace has a reason for this, but we should probably wait till we're out of earshot of those horn-haired folk. >> Thank you, Savas. I appreciate your support. You don't strike me as someone crazy, your Grace. And only someone crazy would just trade a dragon for a bunch of slaves. >> I'm not sure how to take that. >> I know someone running a scam from my time as a smuggler, your grace. You had that look about you when you were talking to the slavers. >> I do have something planned, sir, and it will be quite a surprise. >> When the exchange happens and Daenerys unleashes the Golden Company and the Unsullied on Aapor, Davos stays behind with Shireen since he's not exactly able to fight. Once it's under their control, Daenerys gives a speech to the assembled Golden Company in Unsullied. >> Both of you have chosen to support my cause, but I wish to know if you will support me or Aegon. I have fought with the intention of taking the Iron Throne for myself, but with my nephew here, I am forced with a hard decision. However, I believe that there is a compromise. I cannot have any children. So, I am willing to name Aegon and Shireen as my heirs [music] so that their line will sit the Iron Throne. Would that satisfy you? I had hoped that you would support my claim to the throne. Since I am Rhaegar's son, the Iron Throne is my birthright. >> I am the older of us, and I have brought back dragons to our family. Surely, you see that I should sit the Iron Throne. >> Wait, I say something. All eyes turned toward the onion knight, now self-conscious at being the center of attention. Davos attempts to draw himself up and look confident, even though he was about ready to soil himself. I don't pretend to know much about thrones in successions, but I know one thing. King Stannis, the most just man I ever knew, gave me one directive before he died. To put his daughter on the throne. I know that I don't have much to bargain with, but can you see your way to allowing me to fulfill that quest, your grace? She'll be a good queen. I know she will. >> S Davos, while I'm grateful, I don't think that this is a good solution. >> Princess, I promised. I know you did, but I just want to go home. I know Aegon doesn't care for me, and I seem to be the problem here. If Aegon and Daenerys can simply marry, that solves this whole issue. They can simply rule together. >> Are you certain, Shireen? It's very noble what you're doing. But you should be sure. >> I'm sure, Queen Daenerys. I formally renounce my claim and offer it to you and Aegon. >> Daenerys leans down and hugs the younger girl, which Shireen returns. When she releases Shireen, Daenerys declares that she will be granted Storm's End when they return to the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon is actually quite happy that now he will be marrying Daenerys rather than Shireen, though he tries not to show it so as to not hurt the former princess's feelings. He isn't entirely successful, and Shireen walks away to hide how sad and hurt she feels. Seeing a tear trickle down her face onto her grayscale cheek, Davos picks her up and holds her close, just like how he would one of his own. In return, she wraps her arms around his neck and starts to cry. Davos does his best to comfort Shireen, but he knows how much the girl must be hurting. He'd experienced similar pain once or twice when a girl he'd fancied had chosen someone else, so he just held her close and whispered that he was there for her. She just kept on crying. Seeing the pain that Shireen was going through, Daenerys makes a special effort to take care of the princess. She'll involve both Shireen and Davos in her councils, seeing the Onion Knight as a genuine man with a good heart and a mind for motivating people. Rather than returning to Westeros, Daenerys and Aegon start the conquest of Slavers Bay. Though Davos advises them to put a garrison and John Conington in charge of Astapor to keep the order, Daenerys agrees to this advice and appoints the Griffin Lord as governor of Astapore before marching out to Yunkai. Davos uses a smuggler ship to get several men into the city, allowing the Targaryen forces to take Yunkai under the master's noses, causing all of the cell swords to join them once Yunkai and all its money have been lost. Marine falls as well after Barristan and Davos slip through the sewers and arm the slaves. Now that they have a power base, the sergeants in the Golden Company start to run the three cities by instituting garrisons and training the freed men. We have control over the slave cities, you graces, and we have enough ships to take our forces to the seven kingdoms. Shall we sail soon? >> I want to take time to train the freed men before sailing to the seven kingdoms. With the Golden Company and the Unsullied together, we will be able to instruct them into a professional army that can match the armies of Westeros. >> Daenerys, if Varys is correct, the Seven Kingdoms are in a weakened state after the Wildfire War, as they're calling it. The Reach, Westerlands, Stormlands, and Rivals have all been devastated. If we take time to train, that gives them time to rebuild. >> If we leave, the masters will simply take back what we've taken from them. All we've done will have been for not. >> I may have a solution. We should take a few months to firmly establish governments and help the administrators, leaving men we trust in here in each city. We have the money of the masters taken and stored inside the great pyramids and split the keys between three overseers. That way, they won't be able to try to buy cell swords. >> This is a viable solution, Savos. Very well. I'm leaving you in charge. >> Me? But I'm just a smuggler and I want to see my home again. Please don't ask this of me. You grace. >> There is no one as honest and wise as yourself in my service, said Davos. You're the only man I can trust stay here. I'm afraid I must insist. I name you Lord Governor of Dragon's Bay. No one shall gain swway your word. >> Davos drops to one knee, smiling. Daenerys raises him to his feet and gives him a kiss on the cheek. For his part, Aegon shakes the Onion Knight's hand rather than leaving with Aegon and Daenerys. Shireen opts to stay with Davos. When he asks her why, all she says is that Davos has been a better father to her than Stannis ever had been. Tears welling in his eyes, Davos embraces the little girl. When news of the approaching Targaryen army and their dragons reach the seven kingdoms, King Edric calls his small council. Many wish to try fighting, such as Mace and Pax to Redwine, but Rob and Garlin advise caution. After hours of deliberation, Edric dismisses the council and walks to the wall overlooking the bay. For a while, the king stands there and looks over his city, picturing it [music] torn by war and dragon fire. He'd seen the aftermath of the wildfire battle. Could he inflict that on his people? Your grace, do you want company? Me and Rob thought you might need someone to talk to. I suppose I admit I've been considering some things and I'd like to ask some questions of the two members of my council who have experienced combat. We are at your disposal, your grace. Thank you. Rob, what was it like to fight a mess of blood and carnage? Two of my friends died protecting me, and I sometimes see their faces in my dreams, asking why I lived and they didn't. It's not really like the songs say. That's been my experience as well, your grace. When men start butchering, they're reduced to the most primal state. And while I'm game for war, I'm not sure I can convince anyone who is at the Burning River to face dragons. Can you tell me what it was like to face the Firestorm? I faced many things you race, beasts and men alike. But facing something like that, a force that you can't do anything against your own certain death given form, that is terror unlike anything I've experienced and likely will ever experience again. And this would likely be the primary weapon of the enemy I would be fighting. [sighs] I would probably end up dead, leaving my daughter fatherless. I don't think I can do that. We'll stand with you, Edric, no matter what you decide. I second the young wolf, your grace. You've both given me a great deal to think about. Let me consider this alone for a moment. >> Both men nod and leave, allowing Edric to look toward the vast burning area that still marked the final battle of the Wildfire War. They' done their best to shield him from the worst of the wounded and [music] dead, but he had seen a few. Pursing his lips, Edric removes his crown and starts turning it over in his hands. Would his father have surrendered? Probably not. But his father had loved war. And this [music] kind of war was likely to destroy the seven kingdoms. They'd gotten a taste of what it could be like. And with three dragons, the Burning River would be replicated across Westeros. At that point, Edric makes his decision. When the Targaryen army arrives near the Blackwater Run, Daenerys, and Aegon are met by Edric, Rob, and Randall Tarly with only a small retinue. The two dragon riders exchange looks, then land Drogon and Rhaegal in the ground before the dark-haired king. >> I am King Edric Baratheon. I'm here to discuss terms with you. >> Wise decision. You've seen the justice in our cause. >> Well, not exactly. I've seen the harm your cause would do were I to fight, and I'm not sure what your cause is yet, but I'm willing to be convinced. >> What harm do you speak of? >> The harm of the firestorm. Westeros has suffered a war of fire already in the past few years. I do not wish to subject my people to another. So, if you will grant me my life and the lives of my subjects, I will abdicate and give you the throne. That's rather noble of you. I'm impressed by your sense of honor, King Edric. I have a baby daughter, my lord. I know what will happen to me if I attempt to fight. I will die and leave her without a father and my wife without a husband. If you would leave me Storm's End, then I will be content. >> I'm sorry, but we've already promised Shireen Baratheon that she will receive Storm's End. However, there is a place that we need a governor for. Davos Seaworth would like to return home at some point. And if you and a few others could go there and provide your leadership, we would be willing to gift you and your line. >> Well, that's quite a bit better than I expected. It may be exile of a different kind, but I will accept this. With the terms settled, Daenerys and Aegon are wed in the great sept of Bor and ascend the Iron Throne. Once the transition of power is complete, Edric sets sail with Marjgery, Rob, and Loris towards Slavers Bay along with a large number of troops who had agreed to follow the former king. When Davos sees the vessels bearing the crown stag, he welcomes them to the Great Pyramid. When they tell him that the king and queen wish him to return home, Davos sets sail with Shireen, ready to serve as the new hand of the king. That's our theory. Westeros is a land filled with exciting stories and possibilities, and we love exploring them. If you'd like to join us on our journey across the seven kingdoms and beyond, then please like, share, and subscribe to our channel.